Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has cautioned the residents of Alberta that the United States aims to weaken Canada for its own gain. Speaking at a pro-Canada rally in Calgary, Carney’s comments come ahead of a vote to decide if the province will initiate a process towards separation from Canada.
“The world has become more dangerous and divided. Some outside our borders are working to break us so they can own us,” he stated, without directly naming the US or its President, Donald Trump.
This warning coincides with ongoing tensions marked by a trade dispute between Canada and the US, with Trump previously suggesting that Canada could become the 51st state. Additionally, Carney’s efforts to reduce Canada’s reliance on the US have drawn Trump’s ire.
The vote on Monday is not a direct referendum on independence; instead, Albertans will choose whether to remain a province or instruct the government to start a legal process for a separation referendum. Alberta, which boasts the world’s fourth-largest proven oil reserves, has long held grievances against the federal government over issues such as immigration and oil industry regulations.
Carney, who has personal ties to Alberta, acknowledged the frustrations of many locals, asserting that they feel as though their resources aren’t truly theirs. He urged voters not to use the ballot to send a “message” to Ottawa, warning that a vote against Canada could lead to division and uncertainty.
Mitch Sylvestre, head of the Alberta Prosperity Project, a prominent separatist group, claimed that US interests would play no part in Alberta’s future until they established a government that could facilitate trade. He maintained there is no animosity toward the US and sees no reason to halt trade with the country.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also described Alberta as a “natural partner” for the United States, further affirming the ties between the two regions.
